Speculation continues over Cuomo run for NYC mayor

NEW YORK (PIX11) — There has been growing speculation this week that former Gov. Andrew Cuomo is rapidly approaching a decision about whether or not to run for New York City mayor.

It comes more than three years removed from the resignation of Cuomo following a devastating report about sexual harassment claims, and swirling investigations about the handling of nursing homes during the pandemic.

A spokesman for the former governor said the legal system has vindicated Cuomo over time on those issues and others. However, other candidates looking to be mayor have begun highlighting those issues with the possibility of Cuomo entering this race.

“It’s supposed to be competitive,” Mayor Eric Adams said of a possible Cuomo challenge. “Everyone presents their best case and I have a great record to run on.”

Speculation of Cuomo’s political comeback has really ramped up once again as the Adams administration continues to face investigations. At the same time, a federal lawsuit Cuomo faced over deaths in nursing homes was dismissed.

A Marist poll found most New Yorkers want Adams out, and 44% say they would want Cuomo to run. It caused the New York Times to ask emphatically in a guest essay: “Is New York ready to forgive Andrew Cuomo?”

“I happen to believe we’re headed toward a special election, a non-partisan election,” said former New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer, who is running for mayor next year. “I think myself, Andrew Cuomo and a number of others will be in that race.”

Stringer is already planning for a scenario where Adams resigns or is forced out, setting off a scramble to lead the city. His campaign even released a memo highlighting a number of scandals from Cuomo’s time in office, including the nursing home issue .

“I think people want a government that’s corruption free. I think they want a mayor to make smart decisions, they want a mayor who’s going to be collaborative and work together,” Stringer said. “None of that signals that Cuomo should be the mayor.”

A spokesman for the former governor said Stringer was just looking for attention, having failed to win the contest for mayor four years ago — he highlighted a number of achievements of Cuomo but ultimately said nothing was being announced yet.

Rich Azzopardi wrote in an email: “This is all premature, but New Yorkers know it was Governor Cuomo who got marriage equality legalized, Roe v. Wade enshrined into state law, put the strongest gun protections and paid family leave laws in the nation on the books and built projects previously declared impossible, such as the Moynihan train station, the new LaGuardia and JFK airports, the Second Avenue subway and the Kosciuszko Bridge, all while cutting taxes and reining in spending. Governor Cuomo loves this city and wants to do everything in his power to help it succeed, but believes Mayor Adams has the right to due process and to defend himself.”

Meanwhile, Adams has made clear he has no intention on resigning.

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